Elena Gasbarra

Osteoporosis is a diffuse skeletal disease in which a decrease in bone strength leads to an increased risk of fractures. A wide variety of types of bone densitometry measurements are available, including quantitative computed tomography measurements of the spine, quantitative ultrasound devices for measurements of the heel and other peripheral sites and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, proximal femur, forearm and total body scans. Compared with alternative bone densitometry techniques, hip and spine DXA examinations have a number of advantages that include a consensus that BMD results can be interpreted using the World Health Organization T score definition of osteoporosis, a proven ability to predict fracture risk, proven effectiveness at targeting anti-fracture therapies, and the ability to monitor response to treatment. However, in recent years, the authors have raised some important questions about the objective limits of this method that have led to doubts about its effectiveness in terms of clinical outcome.

The deepening knowledge about bone pathophysiology, together with the development of less invasive bone implants, fitted for the treatment of fragility fractures, the continuous advances in the creation of osteoconductive and osteoinductive biomaterials, the availability of bone active agents, capable of modulating fracture healing, actually represent the orthopaedic "weapons" to improve the surgical outcome and quality of life in patients with osteoporosis.

Stages of bone turnover during fracture repair can be assessed employing serum markers of osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity, inflammatory cytokines, clinical evaluation and imaging instruments. Our study compare the fracture healing process in fragility fractures and high energy fractures by evaluating serum changes of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) in combination with radiographic (Radiographic Union Scale for Tibial fractures, RUST) and clinical (Lower extremity measure, LEM) assessments. We enrolled 56 patients divided into four corresponding groups: group A with high energy trauma fracture (tibial/femoral shaft); group B with low energy trauma fracture (femoral fractures); healthy (control A) and osteoporotic subjects (control B). Blood samples were collected before surgery (T0) and after 10 weeks (T10). Serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF-alpha, RANKL and OPG ...

Osteoporosis is the most common alteration of bone metabolism. It derives from an increase in bone resorption with respect to bone formation and is characterized by microarchitectural alterations, decreased bone mass and increased risk of fracture. The coupling between bone formation and resorption is a fundamental concept in skeletal metabolism, and it explains how a certain amount of removed tissue can be replaced by the same amount of new bone. Various substances used to treat osteoporosis may also be used for orthopaedic conditions such as fracture healing, implant fixation, bone grafts and osteonecrosis. Fracture healing consists in the replacement of the lost bone by a tissue that has the same biomechanical properties as those preceding the fracture. The repair process is triggered by the local response to the tissue injury that damaged the continuity of bone. The duration of each phase of the healing process can vary significantly, depending on the site and characteristics of...

A correct fracture healing depends on the synergy between biomechanical, molecular and cellular factors. Focusing on different stages, fracture hematoma represents the starting point of the inflammatory process, with a critical role in triggering the process of fracture healing. The essential factors for bone repair are the activation of mesenchymal stem cells and the release of growth and regulatory factors. Moreover, the efficacy of fracture healing is determined by three ideal conditions: adequate blood supply, good contact between bone fragments and good stability. It is remarkable how the implant choice influences fracture healing after surgical treatment. In osteoporosis, bone quality adversely affects the tissue structural competence, increasing the risk of a complicated fracture healing. The qualitative and quantitative alterations established at the cellular level during osteoporosis explain the progressive deterioration of bone tissue healing ability.

Fracture healing is a complex event that involves the coordination of different processes: initial inflammatory response, soft and hard callus formation, initial bony union and bone remodeling. This well-orchestrated series of biological events follows a specific temporal and spatial sequence that can be affected by biological factors, such as age and bone quality. There is some evidence that increased age is a considerable factor in the inhibition of fracture repair in human subjects. During aging there is an accumulation of damage that depends on the activation of inflammation processes and on changes in the circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines. In addition to the physiological slow down in the repair process, other conditions such as multiple comorbidities leading to polymedication are a frequent occurrence in elderly patients and can have an influence on this process. A further factor that affects bone metabolism is nutrition: bone quality, fragility fractures risk and f...

Currently, an increasing number of younger patients undergo total hip arthroplasty surgery. This has led to a minimal invasive approach and the use of short, bone preserving, femoral stems. In this study, we sought to evaluate osseointegration of the Fitmore stem (Zimmer, Inc; Warsaw, IN) during the first 12 mo after surgery, which reflects the biological phenomenon of osseointegration with radiographic evaluation and bone densitometry (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). We evaluated 33 patients (mean age 62.3) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan around the stem and X-ray. Moreover, we studied functional recovery using the Harris Hip Score, timed up and go test, and a quality of life form (SF-36), during the follow-up period. At 12 mo, we observed an increased periprosthetic bone mineral density in region of interest 1 (1.7%) and region of interest 7 (8.3%), where there is usually a greater amount of bone resorption. Also Harris Hip Score, timed up and go test, and SF-36 showed an improvement of clinical conditions of all patients. We also used a control group with a standard stem implanted. Because this is the first study correlating osseointegration and clinical outcome of the Fitmore stem, further clinical studies will be necessary to confirm good/positive results and a long stable fixation.

A 20-year-old man sustained an open medial dislocation of the ankle without an associated fracture after a low-energy inversion injury. Prompt debridement and reduction with primary wound closure of the skin were performed without suture of the capsule. Immobilisation in a non-weight-bearing cast for 30 days followed by ankle bracing for two weeks and subsequent physiotherapy, produced full functional recovery by three months. At follow-up at one year there was a full range of pain-free movement, although the radiographs and MR scan showed early post-traumatic degenerative change at the medial aspect of the tibiotalar and the calcaneocuboid joints.

In the last years, the number of total hip arthroplasty is increased both in young patients and elderly with a poor bone quality due to extension of surgical indications. According to this trend, also revision surgery showed a growth of its number, especially in elderly patients, because of implant loosening, failed osseointegration of prosthetic components, errors in biomechanical restoration and infections. The aim of this study is to analyze life quality improvement through evaluation of articular functionality and postoperative pain, and to examine osseointegration of implant components with periprosthetic bone. During total hip arthroplasty revision, the orthopedic surgeon often has to face complex cases, especially in elderly patients with a preexisting status of poor bone quality and sarcopenia. In these cases, a correct planning and a surgical procedure well-executed are able to ensure a good outcome that led to pain relief and functional recovery. Furthermore anti-osteoporotic therapy surely represents a useful resource both in primary total hip arthroplasty and in revisions, mainly for elderly patients with a poor bone quality.

The progressive aging of the population inevitably leads to an increase in all age-related diseases, with osteoporosis arising as a health and social priority. Fragility fractures, resulting by Osteoporosis, may have important consequences such as hospitalizations with long periods of immobility, need of surgery, increased risk of disability and partial or complete loss of autonomy in the ordinary activities of daily life and related economical burden. It is therefore essential to implement immediately a tertiary prevention to reduce the risk of further fractures through a diagnostic-therapeutic evidence-based pathway. So, starting from the fracture, the orthopaedic surgeon is meant to play an essential role in the management of osteoporotic patients, both to reduce the risk of further fractures and improve long-term outcome in these people, thus lowering the health and life quality downward spiral that often results in fractures in the elderly.